Mesmerising Memoirs and My Ramblings

There is something special about memoirs. I realized lately that I love reading memoirs when compared to fiction, and in fiction, fiction narrated in the form of memoirs. Mitch albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" and other novels, Shantanu naidu's " I came upon a light house". Recent addition to the list is "Born a crime" by Trevor Noah. I tend to like memoirs more than autobiogrpahies. Afterall, nobody can have their entire life interesting. It is the slices of the life, the most interesting parts of the author's life that connects with the reader. Memoirs cherry-pick the most significant, interesting or transformative events, making them more engaging. 

 

One is daily journalling, which is basically reflecting on the events that occurred during the day ( one or two days old reflection) . And the other is when you go down the memory lane.. many years back...  I am now doing some random rambling on the later one. 

When we look back at our past after many years, we are, in fact, two different selves. One is the person who was left behind somewhere in the memories of a bygone time, and the other is the mind that is observing all of it objectively. One is what is visible, and the other is what is unfolding within the mind. Isn't this awareness of two selves both liberating and unsettling, as we try to make sense of who we are and where we are going?

We can never quite grasp this play of fleeting time and past memories. We try to gather what has slipped away, while remaining detached from what is flowing in the present. As we move forward, we end up somewhere else—not just far from our origin, but also very far from ourselves. So far that when we try to look back and understand ourselves, it feels almost impossible. Even our memories gradually begin to fade away.

When we journal with this awareness of two selves—past and present—it seems like we are embracing this duality, almost like writing our own evolving memoir. This awareness adds depth to how we understand both memory and identity. 

Do you resonate with this thought or are you thinking "Akhir kehna kya chahte ho?" 😅

The Art of Racing in the Rain

Despite not being a dog or car enthusiast, I found the book captivating. Its unique perspective, storytelling, and lessons on resilience and navigating life's challenges made it a truly insightful experience.

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein is unique. It's told from the point of view of a dog named Enzo. It’s a touching story about family, love, and life's struggles, seen through the eyes of a dog with the soul of a philosopher.

Some notable quotes from the book :

"So much of language is unspoken. So much of language is compromised of looks and gestures and sounds that are not words. People are ignorant of the vast complexity of their own communication."

"To be a champion, you must have no ego at all. You must not exist as a separate entity. You must give yourself over to the race. You are nothing if not for your team, your car, your shoes, your tires. Do not mistake confidence and self-awareness for egotism."

"Learn to listen! I beg of you. Pretend you are a dog like me and listen to other people rather than steal their stories."

"Here’s why I will be a good person. Because I listen. I cannot speak, so I listen very well. I never interrupt, I never deflect the course of the conversation with a comment of my own."

"It makes one realize that the physicality of our world is a boundary to us only if our will is weak; a true champion can accomplish things that a normal person would think impossible."

"Such a simple concept, yet so true: that which we manifest is before us; we are the creators of our own destiny. Be it through intention or ignorance, our successes and our failures have been brought on by none other than ourselves."

“There is no dishonor in losing the race,” Don said. “There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.”

"A winner, a champion, will accept his fate. He will continue with his wheels in the dirt. He will do his best to maintain his line and gradually get himself back on the track when it is safe to do so. Yes, he loses a few places in the race. Yes, he is at a disadvantage. But he is still racing. He is still alive. The race is long. It is better to drive within oneself and finish the race behind the others than it is to drive too hard and crash."

Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a quick thought provoking read.